Programming switch construction



Feb. 9, 1965 PROGRAMMING SWITCH CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 24, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jack E Johnson Feb. 9, 1965 J. E. JOHNSON 3pm9yw5 PROGRAMMING SWITCH CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 24, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jag/r E lb/7175017 1N VENTOR.

Feb. 9, 1965 J. E. JOHNSON PROGRAMMING SWITCH CONSTRUCTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 24, 1962 Jack E Johnson I N VEN TOR.

3,169,175 PRQGRAMMING SWITCH CUNSTRUCTIGN Jack E. Iohnson, 4316) Howard Ave, Sacramento, Qalif. Filed Ian. 24, I962, Ser. No. 168,329 14- Claims. (El. 200-32) This invention relates to a programming switch assembly and more particularly to a multiple contact switch arrangement operable to control a plurality of circuits in a predetermined sequence. Programming switch constructions heretofore available have been limited in the applications to which they are applicable and have often been characterized by arrangements which increase in complexity with the number of programmed sequences involved. A primary object of the present invention therefore, is to provide a programming switch construction adaptable to a wide variety of mechanisms or apparatus that are electrically energized in accordance with some predetermined program. The present invention although specifically described hereafter in connection with the programming of an automatic washing machine, may also be applicable to the programming of traflic lights, advertising displays, etc.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a programming switch assembly having a plurality of predetermined programs to which the programming device may be selectively set.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a programming switch assembly having a plurality of different programs to which it may be set, a selective control capable of being exercised during predetermined intervals of the program only when such selective control could not possibly cause damage to the programmed mechanism with which the programming switch assembly is associated.

In accordance with the foregoing objects, the programming switch assembly of the present invention involves a rotatable rotor chamber within which liquid mercury is disposed for programmed contact with a plurality of spaced control contact assemblies fixedly mounted on the rotatable chamber structure. The liquid mercury thus provides a conductive path between different control contact assemblies in order to complete different control circuits as the chamber rotor is rotated. The control contact assemblies therefore have associated therewith non-rotating brush assemblies with respect to which the rotor chamber is axially shiftable under selective control in order to change the program.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the programming switch assembly mounted on any suitable support surface.

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 2-2 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a partial sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 33 in FIG- URE 2 illustrating a brush assembly.

FIGURE 4 is a partial sectional view taken through a plane indicated'by section line 44 in FIGURE 2 illustrating the selector control assembly.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken through a plane indicated by section line 5-5 in FIGURE 2 illustrating the intermittent drive assembly.

FIGURE 6 is a partial sectional view taken through a plane indicated by section line 6-6 in FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a partial enlarged section view taken ttes ate 5 means Patented Feb. 9, 1965 substantially through a plane indicated by section line 7-7 in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the drive rotor holding spring element in the intermittent drive assembly.

FIGURES 9, 10, 11 and 12 are partial sectional views illustrating the different control contact assemblies.

FIGURE 13 is a typical wiring diagram for a pro grammed automatic washing machine with which the programming switch assembly is associated.

FIGURE 14 is a partial sectional view similar to the sectional views of FIGURES 9 through 12, illustrating a modified form of control contact assembly.

FIGURE 15 is a partial perspective view of a modified form of programming chamber rotor.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the programming switch assembly is generally referred to by reference numeral 10 and may be mounted on any suitable vertical supporting surface 12 as seen in FIGURE 1. The programming switch assembly 16 includes therefore a control rotor housing 14 completely closed by a brush mounting housing portion 16. Mounted on one axial end of the control rotor housing 14, is a motor housing 18 while mounted on the opposite axial end of the housing 14 is a selective control assembly generally referred to by reference numeral Zll. The housing 14 is provided with a pair of inspection windows 22.

Referriru now to FIGURE 2..in particular, it will be observed that the rotor housing 14 rotatably mounts a control shaft 24, said control shaft 24 also being axially displaceable within limits. Accordingly, a pair of slide bearings 2i: and 28 are mounted within an interior wall portion 30 and an end wall portion 32 respectively of the housing 14. The interior wall 30 therefore forms on one side thereof a drive chamber 34 and on the other side thereof, a rotor chamber 36. Disposed within the rotor chamber 36 of the housing 14, is a rotor assembly generally referred to by reference numeral 38. The rotor assembly 38 is therefore selectively displaceable in an axial direction for program changing purposes and is intermittently rotated for programmed contact of a plurality of axially spaced control contact assemblies 40, 42, 44 and 46. The compartment 36 within which the rotor assembly 38 is rotatable, is therefore provided with a viscous liquid such as transformer oil 48 in order to maintain the external surface of the rotor assembly 38 clean and provide a leveling indication when mounting the unit 1% through the markings 2.3 on the viewing windows 22 as seen in FIGURE 1. The rotor assembly 38 itself is formed of a non-conductive transparent cylinder or tubular member Ell closed at opposite ends by non-conductive end plates 52 and 54. The end plates 52 and 54 mount fittings 56 and 58 for receiving therethrough the control shaft 24 thereby rigidly connected to the rotor assembly 38 for rotation therewith.

Each of the control contact assemblies are similar to each other in that they include axially spaced outer control bands of conductive material for contact with associated brush assemblies 60, 62, 64, 66 and 63. It will therefore be appreciated, that the number of brush assemblies and associated contact control assemblies will vary in accordance with the nature of the program and the number of selective programs to be made available by the programming switch assembly. The control contact assembly 4b as more clearly seen from FIGURES 2 and 9, includes three axially spaced outer control bands 70 which are embedded within the transparent non-conductive material of the cylinder 50 for contact with the brush assemblies 60 and d2. It will be observed that the control bands 7% completely encircle the cylinder 5i and are continuously in contact with their associated brushes. The brush assemblies 60 and 62 are therefore in contact with two of the control bands 70 as illustrated in FIGURE 2,

one of the control bands 70 being inactive. Axial shifting of the rotor assembly 38 will therefore render the inactive control band 70 active and deactivate the control band at the other axial end of the assembly. Associated with each of the control bands 70 is an inner programming control contact 72 which extends circumferentially of the interior wall of the cylinder 59 for a distance representing a complete operational cycle and conductively coupled to the bands 70 by connector elements 71 as seen in FIGURE 9. Accordingly, the contact element 72 is provided with a gap so that when the rotor assembly 38 is disposed in one angular position, no contact will be made between the contact element 72 and a pool of liquid mercury 74 disposed along the bottom portion of the cylinder 51 Accordingly, when the rotor assembly 38 is angularly displaced a small distance from the position illustrated in FIGURE 9, contact will be made with the contact element 72 in order to initiate a program cycle as will be hereafter explained in further detail. In order to prevent vibration of the mercury 74 due to angular movement of the cylinder 50 and prevent arcing, nonconductive viscous liquid 76 such as transformer oil is disposed thereabove. The contact element 72 is therefore conductively coupled to the control band 711 for contact with the brush element 60 in order to establish a circuit. The control contact assembly 42 includes two control bands 70 as seen in FIGURES 2 and 10, for continuous contact of one of the control bands with the brush assembly Mounted interiorly of the cylinder 50 and conductively connected to each of the control bands 70, the assembly 42 is provided with spin control contact element '78 and 80 which extend a short circumferential distance in order to establish two separate and spaced spin periods when respectively in contact with the mercury 74 as hereafter explained. Two control bands 71 are also associated with the control contact assembly 44 constituting the washer motor control assembly. As more clearly seen in FIGURE 11, the motor control assembly 44 has associated with each of the control bands 70, an agitator contact element 82 circumferentially extended to provide a relatively prolonged agitation period by contact with the mercury 74. Angularly spaced from the contact element 82, is a first spin contact element 84 followed by a second agitator contact element 86 of reduced angular extent as compared to the first agitator contact element 82. Finally, a second spin period contact element 88 is provided of greater circumferential extent than the first spin contact element 84 for a longer spin cycle. The spaced elements 82, 84, as and 88 therefore sequentially effect energization of the washer motor for agitating and spinning purposes. It will be further appreciated, that the contact elements associated with the two control bands 71) of each of the assemblies 42 and 44 will differ from each other both in phase relationship and circumferential extent in order to provide a different program depending upon the control band with which the associated brush assembly is in contact. The water fill control assembly 46 as more clearly seen in FIGURE 12 is similarly arranged as described with respect to the assemblies 42 and 44 except that it includes two contact elements 90 and 92 angularly spaced from each other so as to provide respectively an initial water fill period and a subsequent rinse period by completing energizing circuit paths through the mercury 74 as hereafter explained.

Referring now to FIGURE 13 in particular, the switch programming assembly is diagrammatically illustrated as incoroprated within a control circuit diagram for automatic operation of a washing machine. The washing machine accordingly includes a lid switch 74 connected to a ground line 96 to which a spin control solenoid 98 is also connected for conditioning a washer drive for spin speed upon energization of the washer motor 100 connected to the ground line 96 by closing of the lid switch 94. Also connected by the lid switch 94 to the ground line 96, is a water fill control solenoid 1112. Live wire conductors 104, 106 and 108 respectively extend from the brush elements 68, 66 and 64 to the water fill control solenoid 102, the washer motor and the spin control solenoid 98 for energization thereof in the proper programmed sequence. Current is supplied to the conductors 1G4, 106 and 103 by the connection of the powerline 111) to a source of current, said powerline being conductively connected through the mercury 74 to the respective control assemblies 42, 44 and 46 upon displacement of the control assembly 40 from the illustrated inoperative position to a start position wherein the contact elements 72 are in contact with the mercury 74. Simultaneously upon displacement of the control contact assembly 411 to the operative start position, a conductive path is provided by the mercury 74 to the brush assembly 62 and line 112 for energizing the programming motor 114 by means of which the control shaft 24 is angularly displaced for programmed rotation of the control assemblies 40, 42, 44 and 46. The program motor is therefore also connected by conductor 116 to the lid switch 24 for completing a circuit to ground line 96 upon closing of the lid switch.

It will be appreciated that the rotor assembly 38 upon which the control assemblies 40, 42, 44 and 46 are mounted, must be angularly displaced slowly so that upon one revolution thereof, one complete cycle of operation will have been made possible by the circuit changing contacts of the control assemblies. Referring therefore to FIGURES 2, 5, 6, 7 and 8, it will be observed that the programming motor 114 which is housed within the motor housing 18 is drivingly connected by means of reduction gearing to the intermittent drive assembly located within the compartment 34 of the rotor control housing 14. The output shaft of the motor 114 is therefore provided with a gear element 118 in constant mesh with a drive gear 120 constituting the input of the intermittent drive assembly generally referred to by reference numeral 122. The drive gear 120 is connected through the shaft 124 to a drive disk member 126 driven at a low or reduced speed. The drive disk rigidly mounts on a squared shaft portion 128 projecting from one side of the disk member adjacent the periphery thereof, a drive spring element 1311. Upon rotation of the drive disk member 126, the drive spring element 130 will engage during each revolution of the disk 126 one of the closely spaced driven rods 132 peripherally mounted on the rotor 134. The rods 132 may therefore be spaced apart approximately 8 degrees so that the rotor 134 will be angularlydisplaced an incremental amount by engagement of a rod 132 by the drive spring 130 for each revolution of the drive disk 126. The rotor 134 is however held stationary between the drive impulses imparted thereto by the drive spring 1311 by means of a rotor holding spring 136. The spring 136 includes an anchoring portion 138 by means of which the spring is anchored to the end Wall 141) of the housing 14 in a position for engagement of the rotor holding portion 142 between spaced rods 132. Accordingly, simultaneously with engagement of the rods 132 by the drive spring 130 a cam release disk 144 rotatably mounted on the drive disk 126 adjacent the periphery thereof, engages a release portion 146 of the holding spring 136 for displacement thereof. The rotor 134 is thereby released for incremental displacement thereof. The rotor 134 being connected to the control shaft 24 by means of the squared portion 148 at one end thereof, will cause the rotor 38 to be rotated in a step-by-step fashion. The yieldable holding spring 136 will therefore permit selective displacement of the rotor 38 by predetermined angular amounts inasmuch as the spring element 136 is yieldable from engagement between adjacent rods 132. The intermittent drive mechanism 120 is further operative to disengage the holding spring when the rotor 134 is being pulsed for incremental displacement by the drive spring 130.

Each of the control contact assemblies as hereinbefore explained is in continuous contact with its associated brush assembly. Referring therefore to FIGURES 3 and 5 in particular, it will be observed that the brush assemblies are all mounted on the housing portion 16 secured by means of threaded fasteners 155i. Each of the brush assemblies includes a centrally disposed tubular member 152 having a laterally projecting flange portion 154 secured to the upper wall of the brush assembly mounting portion 16. The tubular member 152 may therefore provide a conductive path to the associated control contact assembly by means of a brush element 156 biased into contact by the spring 158 with the control band 76'. Inasmuch as changing of the particular program is effected upon axial displacement of the rotor assembly 38 between the two contact positions of the brush assemblies with respect to the control assemblies mounted thereon, a selector control assembly 20 is provided including a control housing 16% mounted on the end wall portion 32 of the rotor housing 14. Referring therefore to FIGURES 2 and 4 in particular, it will be observed that the control shaft 24- includes a non-circular portion 162 projecting axially from the rotor housing and having keyed thereto a pair of axially spaced dial wheels 164 and 166 the outer periphery of which mounts cycle period indicating indicia for exposure through the window 168 on the control housing frame. Depending upon the axial position to which the rotor 33 is shifted, the indicia on the dial 164 or on the dial 166 will be exposed through the window 168. Accordingly, also keyed to the non-circular shaft portion 162 of the control shaft 24, is a control rod or bar 170. A pair of annular slots 172 and 1.74 axially spaced from each other are disposed within the control housing frame 16% for accommodating rotational movement of the control bar 17 9 with the rotor assembly 33. Axially parallel interconnecting slots 17%, 1'78, 18% and 182 are provided for accommodating selective axial displacement of the control bar 17h between the slots I72 and 174 for predetermined angular positions of the rotor. The angular positions of the rotor assembly 38 during which axial displacement 1s possible are those positions in which either none of the control contact assemblies are in contact with the mercury 74 or all but the cycle controlcontact assembly 4i) are out of contact with the mercury 74. This arrangement is necessary in order to prevent damage to the programmed machine with which the switch assembly is associated. A plurality of arch formations 184 are therefore provided in order to interconnect the control housing portions on opposite sides of the annular slots 174 and 172 and also to locate those positions of the rotor assembly 38 in which the washer motor 1% has been de-energized by alignment of the control bar 17% beneath the arches 184. In such positions of the control bar 170, the control bar may be selectively displaced in an axial direction through the interconnecting slots 1'76, 17$, 18! and 182 aforementioned. Information as to the cycle periods will be provided for in each axial position of the control bar 170 by exposure of one of the dials 164 and 166 through the window 168.

Summarizing operation of the switch programming assembly in connection with the programmed washing machine heretofore referred to, it will be recalled that when the lid switch 94 is closed, displacement of the rotor assembly by means of the control bar 176 to a position such as illustrated in FIGURE 4, will provide contact between the mercury 74 and the contact elements 72 of the cycle control assembly 4t). A circuit is therefore established between the powerline 11d and the conductor 112 to the program motor 114 through the brush assemblies 60 and 62. The program motor 114 being connected by conductor I16 and closed lid switch 94 to the ground line 96 results in energization thereof to start a programmed cycle. Assuming clockwise rotation of the rotor cylinder 50 as viewed in FIGURES 9 through 13, the contact elements 90 of the fill control assembly 46 will be first displaced into contact with the mercury 74 so as to establish a circuit in parallel with the energizing circuit for the programming motor 114 through the brush assembly 68, conductor 1M and the water fill control solenoid 102. The water fill period will of course be of a relatively short duration governed by the time it takes the contact element 9a to be angularly displaced through the mercury 74. After termination of the fill period, the contact element 32 of the washer motor control assembly 44 will come in contact with the mercury '74 so as to establish a circuit through the brush assembly 66 and conductor 1% to the washer motor 10% for initiating an agitating period. The duration of the agitation period will be relatively prolonged in view of the circumferential extent of the contact element 32. After termination of the agitation period, the contact element 73 of the spin control assembly 42 will initially come in contact with tie mercury 74 so as to establish a circuit through the rush assembly as and conductor 1% to the spin control solenoid 93 whereupon the washer drive is conditioned for spin speed upon energization of the washer motor 109. Energization of the washer motor is immediately effected thereafter by subsequent contact of the contact element 84 with the mercury in the washer motor control assembly 44. After termination of the first spin period, a second fill period for rinsing purposes is established by the contact element 92 in the fill control assembly 46. This is followed by a second but shorter agitation period effected by the contact element 86 of the Washer motor control assembly 44. Finally, a second but prolonged spin period is established by the sequential contact of the contact elements 8t? and 88 with the mercury. Finally, at the end of the second aforementioned sequence of operations, the cycle control contact elements 72 of the assembly 4% will be out of contact with the mercury '74 as illustrated in FIGURE 9 in order to stop the machine. The rotor assembly 38 may thereafter be angularly displaced in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURES 9 through 13 in order to re-start a cycle by manual displacement of the control bar 179. It will also be appreciated, that at the end of each cycle period at which point the washer motor 1% is de-energized, the control bar 1.70 will come to rest between cycle defining arch formations 184 and also in communication with an interconnecting slot so that the rotor assembly 38 may then be axially displaced in order to change the program. Each set of control contact elements of each of the control assemblies may therefore be varied as to phase and circumferential extent in order to provide a different timing. When rod is disposed between the top arches 184 as shown in FIGURE 4, the mercury 74 will be out of contact with the cycle controlling element 72 of assemblies 40 as seen in FIGURE 9.

Referring now to FIGURE 14, a modified form of control assembly is illustrated wherein the outer control band 1% which is also in continuous contact with its associated brush assembly, is connected to a contact rotor 188 by means of a connecting spoke 196), said spoke 196 being insulated from the mercury 74 by means of the non-conductive spacer 192. The contact rotor 188 is provided with a plurality of radially extending contact elements 1% which extend different radial distances for contact with the mercury '74 upon rotational displacement of the contact rotor 18% with the cylinder 50. The radial extent of the contact element 194 will therefore determine the duration of contact thereof with the mercury 74 as distinguished from the circumferential extent of the contact elements described with respect to FIGURES 9 through 12.

The control bands 70 associated with the control assemblies have been described as being embedded in the non-conductive transparent material of the cylinder 5t) and hence flush with the outer surface thereof for contact with the associated brush assemblies. FIGURE 15 illustrates therefore a modified construction of the cylinder wherein the annular control bands 1% are mounted above the outer surface of the rotor cylinder for contact with the brush assemblies. However, in order to accommodate axial shifting of the rotor with respect to the brush assemblies, the three cycle period controlling assemblies are provided with conductive transition projections 192-3 extending between adjacent control bands 1% but with a close spacing Ztltl that may be bridged by the brush element 156 of the brush assembly. Axial displacement is accommodated between the control bands of the cycle control assembly by means of non-conductive transition spacers 2% inasmuch as no contact between the control bands is desired with respect to the cycle controlling assembly.

From the foregoing description, operation and utility of the programming switch assembly will be apparent. It will therefore be appreciated, that the switch assembly includes a plurality of programming control assemblies mounted on an intermittently rotated programming drum adapted to be axially shifted for changing between predetermined programs. Circuit changing for programming purposes is accomplished by the establishment of con ductive paths through gravity responsive mercury at the bottom of the rotating drum between different contact elements on each of the control assemblies mounted on the drum. Axial displacement under selective control is however limited to those angular positions of the programming control drum in which damage to the associated program machine would not occur. Furthermore, the programming switch assembly because of its unique and economical construction is readily adaptable for programming a wide variety of apparatus in addition to automatic washing machines such as trafiic lights and advertising displays.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimedv What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A program cycle switch assembly comprising, chamber means rotatable between a plurality of conducting and non-conducting positions, a plurality of control contact means mounted on the chamber means, gravity responsive conductive means disposed within said chamber means for establishing different conductive paths with said control contact means in each of said conducting positions of said chamber means, circuit establishing means mounted for continuous electrical contact with said control contact means to produce a predetermined control cycle and program control means rendered operative in said non-conducting positions of the chamber means to selectively displace said control contact means and said circuit establishing means relative to each other for changing said predetermined control cycle.

2. The combination of claim 1, including, intermittent drive means drivingly connected to said chamber means for incremental rotation thereof and electrically connected to said control contact means for rotation of said chamber means through one cycle of operation.

3. A program switch assembly comprising, rotatable chamber means, a plurality of spaced control contact assemblies mounted in the chamber means for rotation therewith, gravity responsive conductive means disposed within said chamber means for providing conductive paths between dilierent control contact assemblies in accordance with angular position of said chamber means, circuit establishing brush means non-rotatably mounted for continuous electrical contact with said control contact assemblies, program control means for axially displacing the brush means and the chamber means relative to each other to establish different circuits through the conductive means and the contact assemblies in contact with the brush all) means in response to rotation of said chamber means, and intermittent drive means drivingly connected to said chamber means for angular displacement thereof and electrically connected to one of said control contact assemblies for rotation of said chamber means through one cycle of operation, said intermittent drive means compri ing, a programming motor, rotor means connected to said chamber means for incremental angular displacement thereof, yieldable holding means enga eable with said rotor means for locking thereof between incremental displacement thereof, impulse drive means cyclically engageable with said holding means and rotor means for controlled release and displacement of the holding means and rotor means respectively, and reduction gear means drivingly connecting the programming motor to the impulse drive means.

4. The combination of clainrZ, wherein each of said control contact assemblies comprises, a plurality of axially spaced conductive control bands mounted exteriorly of said chamber means, one of said control bands being in continuous contact with the brush means, a set of angularly spaced contacts connected to each of said control bands and disposed interiorly of the chamber means for programmed contact with said gravity responsive conductive means, the angular positions of the angularly spaced contacts of each control contact assembly being out of phase with each other and duration of contact of said spaced contacts Within each set and within each control contact assembly being dillerent from each other.

5. The combination of claim 4, wherein said duration of contact is governed by the circumferential extent of said spaced contacts.

6. The combination of claim 5, wherein said program control means comprises, frame means for rotatably mounting the chamber means and guiding axial displacement thereof relative to the brush means, control rod means connected to saidchamber means and projecting through axially spaced annular slot means on the frame means for rotation with said chamber means, and axial guide means formed on said frame means in communication with said slot means for accommodating selective axial displacement of the control rod means for only nonconclucting positions of either all or all but one of said control contact assemblies.

7. The combination of claim 6, wherein said gravity responsive conductive means comprises, liquid mercury disposed along a bottom portion of said chamber me for programmed contact with each of said control assen blies, and damping fluid disposed above said mercury for substantially eliminating displacement of the mercury by the chamber means upon rotation of the chamber means.

8. The combination of claim 1, wherein said control contact means comprises, a plurality of axially spaced conductive control bands mounted exteriorly of said chamber means, one of said control bands being in continuous contact with said circuit establishing means, a set of angularly spaced contacts conductively connected to each of said control bands and disposed interiorly of the chamber means for programmed contact with said gravity responsive conductive means.

9. The combination of claim 8, wherein duration of contact of said spaced contacts are governed by the radial extent thereof.

10. A program switch assembly comprising, rotatable chamber means, a plurality of spaced control contact means mounted in the chamber means for rotation therewith, gravity responsive conductive means disposed within said chamber means for providing conductive paths between diflerent control contact assemblies in accordance with angular position of said chamber means, circuit the brush means and the chamber means relative to each other to establish different circuits through the conductive means and the contact assemblies in contact with the brush means in response to rotation of said chamber means, said program control means comprising, frame means for rotatably mounting the chamber means and guiding axial displacement thereof relative to the brush means, control rod means connected to said chamber means and projecting through axially spaced annular slot means on the frame means for rotation with said chamber means, and axial guide means formed on said frame means in communication with said slot means for accommodating selective axial displacement of the control rod means for only non-conducting positions of either all or all but one of said control contact assemblies.

11. The combination of claim 1, wherein said gravity responsive conductive means comprises, liquid mercury disposed along a bottom portion of said chamber means establishing programmed electrical connections with said control contact means, and fluid disposed above said mercury for preventing arcing between the mercury and the control contact means upon rotation of the chamber means.

12. A program switch assembly comprising, rotatable chamber means, a plurality of spaced control contact assemblies mounted in the chamber means for rotation there with, gravity responsive conductive means disposed Within said chamber means for providing conductive paths between different control contact assemblies in accordance with angular position of said chamber means, circuit establishing brush means non-rotatably mounted for continuous electrical contact with said control contact assemblies and program control means for axially displacing the brush means and chamber means relative to each other toestablish different circuits in response to rotation .of said chamber means, intermittent drive means drivingly connected to said chamber means for angular displacement thereof and electrically connected to one of said control contact assemblies for rotation of said chamber means through one cycle of operation, frame means for rotatably mounting the chamber means and guiding axial 0 rod means connected to said chamber means and project ing through axially spaced annular slot means on the frame means for rotation with said chamber means, and axial guide means formed on said frame means in communication with said slot means for accommodating selective axial displacement of the control rod means for only non-conducting positions of either all or all but one of said control contact assemblies.

13. The combination of claim 12, wherein each of said control contact assemblies comprises, a plurality of axially spaced conductive control bands mounted exteriorly of said chamber means, one of said control bands being in continuous contact with the brush means, a set of angularly spaced contacts connected to each of said control bands and disposed interiorly of the chamber means for programmed contact with said gravity responsive conductive means, the angular positions of the angularly spaced contacts of each control contact assembly being out of phase with each other and duration of contact of said spaced contacts within each set and within each control contact assembly being different from each other.

14. The combination of claim 13, wherein said gravity responsive conductive means comprises, liquid mercury disposed along a bottom portion of said chamber means for programmed contact with each of said control assemblies, and damping fluid disposed above said mercury for substantially eliminating displacement of the mercury by the chamber means upon rotation of the chamber means.

References tilted by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Pr mary Examiner. MAX L. LEVY, Examiner. 

1. A PROGRAM CYCLE SWITCH ASSEMBLY COMPRISING, CHAMBER MEANS ROTATABLE BETWEEN A PLURALITY OF CONDUCTING AND NON-CONDUCTING POSITIONS, A PLURALITY OF CONTROL CONTACT MEANS MOUNTED ON THE CHAMBER MEANS, GRAVITY RESPONSIVE CONDUCTIVE MEANS DISPOSED WITHIN SAID CHAMBER MEANS FOR ESTABLISHING DIFFERENT CONDUCTIVE PATHS WITH SAID CONTROL MEANS IN EACH OF SAID CONDUCTING POSITIONS OF SAID CHAMBER MEANS, CIRCUIT ESTABLISHING MEANS MOUNTED FOR CONTINUOUS ELECTRICAL CONTACT WITH SAID CONTROL CONTACT MEANS TO PRODUCE A PREDETERMINED CONTROL CYCLE AND PROGRAM CONTROL MEANS RENDERED OPERATIVE IN SAID NON-CONDUCTING POSITIONS OF THE CHAMBER MEANS TO SELECTIVELY DISPLACE SAID CONTROL CONTACT MEANS AND SAID CIRCUIT ESTABLISHING MEANS RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER FOR CHANGING SAID PREDETERMINED CONTROL CYCLE. 